Sermon
A Mother's Love - Passages from Isaiah
April 24, 2022
Can a woman forget her nursing child,
or show no compassion for the child of her womb?
Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.
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Isaiah 46:3-4, 49:14-15, 66:12-13
We often think of God in terms of, "O Father, who art in heaven," but scripture also reveals God in motherly terms.
In the passage above, from Isaiah 49, a taste of God's unimaginable love and faithfulness is revealed in a mother's love for their child.
Simple Steps of Faith
April 24, 2022
Jesus said to them, “Cast the net to the right side
of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish.
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John 21:1-14
God often uses simple steps of faith to reveal himself, and to fulfill our greatest needs.
The disciples saw Jesus arrested, beaten, and crucified. They heard from the women that he was raised from the dead, as he said he would. They followed Jesus' instructions and returned to Galilee where they were to wait for Jesus.
Once there, they returned to their old way of life - fishing. They weren't telling people about Jesus; they weren't continuing Jesus' ministry of healing and compassion; they returned to their old ways of life, and failed to catch fish.
They followed Jesus' first instruction, to return to the Galilee, and now a voice from the shore told them how to do their job, to cast their net to the other side of the boat.
As they obeyed Jesus in small steps they encountered their resurrected Lord.
Now I See It
April 24, 2022
Christ died for our sins
in accordance with the scriptures,
he was buried, and that he was raised
on the third day.
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1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Sometimes, what we think we know keeps us from what we need to know.
The Apostle Paul was a dedicated persecutor of Christians until he encountered the risen Christ. What he thought he knew about Jesus kept him from the wonderful truth that was there all the time. Jesus, whose followers he once persecuted, was what he was missing all along.
Easter - Shattered Expectations
April 17, 2022
He is not here;
he has risen!
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Matthew 28:1-10
The two women went to where Jesus' body had been placed, expecting to finish preparing his dead body for burial.
The great news of Easter is not found in their expectations being met, but rather that Jesus was not dead like they expected, but had risen from the dead.
The good news of the Gospel isn't found in God meeting our expectations, but shattering them, revealing far more than anything we could ask or imagine - then, using us, to reveal the news of the risen Christ to others.
The Difference a Week Makes
April 10, 2022
“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
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Scripture From Matthew 21 & 26
Within a week, Jesus is both celebrated and condemned. As Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, he is greeted by crowds shouting "Hosanna," but just a short time later, even one of his closest friends denies even knowing him.
Second Guessing God
April 3, 2022
he set his face to go to Jerusalem.
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Scripture Luke 9:51-56
God's ways are often far different than our own. How often do we spend more time and energy asking God to fulfill our expectations than we do seeking God's?
Renew or Reuse?
March 27, 2022
And no one after drinking old wine wants the new,
for they say, ‘The old is better.’”
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Scripture Luke 5:33-39
Let us avoid confusing the way we've always done things for God's purpose.
Last Picked
March 20, 2022
who need a doctor, but the sick.
I have not come to call the righteous,
but sinners to repentance.”
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Scripture Luke 5:27-32
How would our lives and congregation be different if our hearts were like Jesus' and prioritized the lost and sinners?
The Last Mile
March 13, 2022
and said, “I do choose. Be made clean.”
Immediately the leprosy left him.
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Scripture Luke 5:12-16
We are a primary means that God uses to reveal his love to the people around us - especially those who are cast off and alone.
Gone to Meddling
March 6, 2022
and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered,
“Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing.
Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.”
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Scripture Luke 5:1-11
Do we dare to trust Jesus enough to let him direct our lives in areas where we think we know what to do?
